Last learned how to play piano as child, switching to bass as a teenager. He joined Hans-Gunther Oesterreich's Radio Bremen Dance Orchestra in 1946, when he was 17 years old. In 1948, he became the leader of the Becker-Last Ensemble, which performed for seven years. During that time, he was voted as the best bassist in the country by a German jazz poll for three consecutive years, from 1950-1952. After the disbandment of the Becker-Last Ensemble, he became the in-house arranger for Polydor Records, as well as for a number of European radio stations. For the next decade, he helped arrange hits for artists like Helmut Zacharias and Caterina Valente.
Last released his first album "Non-Stop Dancing" in 1965. The record of brief renditions of popular songs, all tied together by an insistent dance beat and joyous crowd noises. It was a hit and helped make him a major European star. Over the next four decades, Last has released over 190 records, including several more volumes of Non-Stop Dancing. On these records, he varies his formula by adding different songs from different countries and genres, as well as guest performers like Richard Clayderman and Astrud Gilberto.
Though his concerts and albums are consistently successful — especially in England, where he had 52 hit albums between 1967-1986, which made him second to Elvis Presley in terms of number of charting records — he has only had two hit singles with "The Seduction," the theme from American Gigolo (1980) and Biscaya from the album "Biscaya".
He has won numerous polls and prizes, for example Billboard magazine's "Star of the year" trophy in 1976, and has been honored for his lifework with the German ECHO prize in 1994.
The song "The Lonely Shepherd", written by Last and performed by Gheorghe Zamfir and the James Last Orchestra, was featured in the soundtrack to Quentin Tarantino's film "Kill Bill Vol. 1" (2003).
Personally, he divides his time between Florida and Germany. He gives much credit to his wife and son, who helps with the music.
Night Fever
James Last Lyrics
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There is movement all around
There is something goin' down
And I can feel it
On the waves of the air
There is dancin' out there
If it's somethin' we can share
And that sweet city woman
She moves through the light
Controlling my mind and my soul
When you reach out for me
Yeah, and the feelin' is bright
Then I get night fever, night fever
We know how to do it
Gimme that night fever, night fever
We know how to show it
Here I am
Prayin' for this moment to last
Livin' on the music so fine
Borne on the wind
Makin' it mine
Night fever, night fever
We know how to do it
Gimme that night fever, night fever
We know how to show it
In the heat of our love
Don't need no help for us to make it
Gimme just enough to take us to the mornin'
I got fire in my mind
I got higher in my walkin'
And I'm glowin' in the dark
I give you warnin'
And that sweet city woman
She moves through the light
Controlling my mind and my soul
When you reach out for me
Yeah, and the feelin' is bright
Then I get night fever, night fever
We know how to do it
Gimme that night fever, night fever
We know how to show it
Here I am
Prayin' for this moment to last
Livin' on the music so fine
Borne on the wind
Makin' it mine
Night fever, night fever
We know how to do it
Gimme that night fever, night fever
We know how to show it
The lyrics of James Last's "Night Fever" describe an electrifying and seductive atmosphere. The singer senses a palpable energy "on the waves of the air," with movement and something "goin' down." He feels a city woman's controlling influence over his mind and soul as he's drawn toward the intensity of the moment. As their love grows, he experiences a "night fever," a heightened state of being where the feeling is bright, and they know how to do it and show it.
The lyrics paint a picture of a moment in time where the music is fine, and the feeling is intense. The singer is caught up in a wave of passion and energy that the city woman unleashes in him. She moves through the light, and their connection rouses him to a fever pitch. The lyrics suggest that they don't need anyone's help to make it, as they have all they need to take them to the morning. The seductive atmosphere is so vividly described that the listener can feel the power of the music and the intensity of the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
Listen to the ground
Pay attention to what's happening around you
There is movement all around
Things are happening and changing constantly
There is something goin' down
Something important or exciting is happening
And I can feel it
I sense that something's happening and I'm excited about it
On the waves of the air
In the atmosphere, in the energy around us
There is dancin' out there
People are moving rhythmically and enjoying themselves
If it's somethin' we can share
If we can all participate in the experience
We can steal it
We can make it ours and enjoy it together
And that sweet city woman
This woman I'm thinking of
She moves through the light
She's graceful and radiant
Controlling my mind and my soul
She affects my thoughts and emotions deeply
When you reach out for me
When we connect physically
Yeah, and the feelin' is bright
The sensation is intense and enjoyable
Then I get night fever, night fever
I'm overcome with excitement and joy
We know how to do it
We know how to enjoy ourselves and have a good time
Gimme that night fever, night fever
I want more of this experience
Here I am
This is me, in this moment
Prayin' for this moment to last
I hope this positive experience continues
Livin' on the music so fine
Finding happiness and enjoyment in the music
Borne on the wind
Riding the energy and momentum of the experience
Makin' it mine
Claiming this enjoyable experience for myself
In the heat of our love
In the intensity of our romantic relationship
Don't need no help for us to make it
We don't need anyone else's assistance to make this work
Gimme just enough to take us to the mornin'
I want enough enjoyment and passion to last all night
I got fire in my mind
I'm inspired and excited
I got higher in my walkin'
I'm walking with confidence and enthusiasm
And I'm glowin' in the dark
I'm shining with excitement and happiness
I give you warnin'
I'm letting you know that I'm feeling good and ready to have fun
Night fever, night fever
I'm feeling excited and happy
We know how to do it
We're confident in our ability to enjoy ourselves
Gimme that night fever, night fever
I want more of this good feeling
Night fever, night fever
I'm still feeling really good
We know how to do it
We're still confident in our ability to have fun
Gimme that night fever, night fever
I want more of this amazing experience
Lyrics © Warner/Chappell Music, Inc., Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: ALEXANDER STIEPEL, ANDREAS HOETTER, BARRY ALAN GIBB, MAURICE ERNEST GIBB, ROBIN HUGH GIBB, WINDSOR KEITH ROBINSON
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind